Oyster harvest and seafood picnic in Ston

One of Croatia's most famed delicacies

The pretty peninsula towns of Ston and Mali Ston are famed for their bounty of the highly valued Croatian product, the oyster. Harvested for generations in this region, small family run farms proudly uphold the practices and traditions that have made the region famous. Enjoy oysters lifted straight from the clear blue sea to your plate! Experience the oyster harvest up close with a local fisherman - the essence of Dalmatia on a platter, enjoyed in the idyllic surroundings of the Pelješac peninsula inlets. Forget the restaurant, this the place to try one of Dalmatia's most prized gastronomic treats followed by a seafood lunch on a quiet island. A superb day trip from Dubrovnik that takes you into both the stunning scenery of the region and up close with the friendly locals proud of their livelihood and heritage. Stop for oysters and lunch on your transfer between Split and Dubrovnik, or en route to the islands of Hvar or Korčula, or add it to our Pelješac wine tour. One of our most popular tours!

Tour description

The pretty peninsula towns of Ston and Mali Ston are famed for their bounty of the highly valued Croatian product, the oyster. Still, embarking on an oyster tasting picnic in Ston is much more than the name implies. An oyster harvest up close with a local fisherman followed by a lunch he prepared before your very eyes, all enveloped in the idyllic surroundings of the Pelješac peninsula inlets – this is experiencing the essence of Dalmatia on a platter!

Your host's family has been harvesting oysters for many generations. The necessary knowledge and skills have been passed on over the ages and even with the advancement of technology, the process itself has not changed much. While it is widely known that the Ston oyster is an aphrodisiac and has medicinal features, this is a chance to feed your curiosity about oyster breeding, how they are formed, what they eat and even what their enemies are in the submarine world, learning directly from a local expert.

The most exciting part of this experience is discovering the oyster beds in the nearby coves by private motorboat, watching them harvested straight from the sea and learning how to open them on your own before tasting the delicious meat inside with just a sprinkle of lemon juice. Then, retreat to a private island and relax in the shade of your private beach while your host prepares a lunch from what you have just harvested, enriched only with a few more Pelješac treats: wines and olive oil!

This tour is fully private and on request only.

Tour includes collection from your hotel, villa or private accommodation by our professional English speaking chauffeur in a comfortable luxury sedan car or passenger van, private boat excursion to the oyster beds, oyster tasting and lunch prepared on a private island by your host (not possible in rough seas and rainy weather).

Also, an ideal addition to self-drive holiday as an en route experience.

OPTIONAL: Combine this tour with a walk on the walls of Ston or with a wine tasting at the Miloš winery, one of the most acclaimed winemakers in the region. Available at additional cost.

The Walls of Ston

Thanks to its location on the isthmus of the Pelješac peninsula, Ston is best known for its monumental fortification walls which were built to prevent entry to the greatly fertile Pelješac peninsula. Yet, the walls were primarily protecting the salt pans in Ston, one of Dubrovnik's famed treasures and an important industry. One of the rare food preservatives of the time, a kilo of salt was valued the same as the kilo of gold. With seven kilometers in length originally, and now down to 5.5 kilometres, the walls of Ston are one of the longest structures in Europe, combined harmoniously with the architecture of Mali and Veliki Ston.

Tour type

What kind of tour do you prefer?

Each experience with Secret Dalmatia is unique in its own way: by tailored design, bold encounters, off-the-beaten path corners, and meticulous planning. To get to know gems like the town of Hvar or Zagreb, choose one of the classic walking tours, highlighting history, culture and local lifestyles. But to truly get away, our day trips transport you from the hustle and bustle into historic olive groves, petit wineries, ancient archeological sites and local homes.

Our tours strive to leave you with a ‘travelers’ epiphany’: a sense of having discovered the subtleties of our region which you wouldn’t discern otherwise. Whether you wish to take in the undiscovered Dalmatian hinterland, escape to the Adriatic Sea for an island-hopping cruise, or merely sip champagne under the Walls of Dubrovnik, Secret Dalmatia's exclusive small group Croatia tours exemplify travel and leisure in Croatia.

If you want us to discuss the program over the phone or Skype, please let us know when would be the best time to call you or call us.

If you are a professional, certified travel agent whose clients are seeking an unforgettable travel experience in Croatia, we would be pleased to work with you.